SOCCER-COPA/BRAZIL Brazil’s Thiago Silva says players should focus on the game amid FIFA controversy

Record ID: 150204

  • Title: SOCCER-COPA/BRAZIL Brazil’s Thiago Silva says players should focus on the game amid FIFA controversy
  • Date: 5th June 2015
  • Summary: TERESOPOLIS, BRAZIL (JUNE 05, 2015) (REUTERS) BRAZIL DEFENDER, THIAGO SILVA (LEFT), AND MIDFIELDER, EVERTON RIBEIRO (RIGHT), ENTERING NEWS CONFERENCE SILVA AND RIBEIRO DURING NEWS CONFERENCE RIBEIRO DURING NEWS CONFERENCE GENERAL OF NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) BRAZIL DEFENDER, THIAGO SILVA, SAYING: "It is hard for us to talk about the situation. It's obvious t
  • Embargoed: 20th June 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Brazil
  • Country: Brazil
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA7N8IPX0Y3DI17QO7T1GRE3XPF
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: As Brazil gears up for the Copa America 2015 in Chile, defender Thiago Silva says the team is focusing on the field of play and not the swirl of controversy at FIFA which has consumed the soccer world.
    World soccer's governing body was plunged into the worst scandal in the organization's 111-year history on May 27 when Swiss police staged a dawn raid in Zurich and arrested several officials on charges filed by U.S. prosecutors in New York.
    The FBI is also looking into how World Cup hosting rights were awarded to Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022, according to a U.S. law enforcement official.
    But during a news conference ahead of a practice session at Brazil's Granja Comary, Silva said, as players, it was their job to focus on playing the game.
    "It is hard for us to talk about the situation. It's obvious that it's a very terrible situation for soccer. We like soccer to be clean. It's a little odd for us to face this situation. But I think us players just have to worry about playing soccer. I think, like (Brazil coach) Dunga recently said, I think we need to be ready on the field," Silva said.
    Brazil have been practising this week at their training complex surrounded by mountains in the city of Teresopolis about 90 kilometres (55 miles) north of Rio de Janeiro as they prepare for the South America championship.
    But focus has remained on the widening scandal which led to the resignation of FIFA President Sepp Blatter who earlier this week announced he would leave the organization just four days after he won a fifth term to head the organization.
    Blatter's announcement has also fuelled speculation as to who will step up to replace him once new elections are scheduled.
    Silva said he thinks former Brazil international Zico, who has expressed interest in the position, would be a good fit for the job.
    "I think Zico has enough experience to take this position (FIFA president). He is respected throughout the whole world. But not just for that, because he is Zico and has a name, but yes for the way he treats people, he's a very serious person. I've had the chance to meet him and I know how hard he works to always get better as a coach or in other positions. And if it were to be Zico, it would be good for soccer," Silva said.
    The 62-year-old Zico played in three World Cups, served as Brazil's sports minister in the 1990s and has decades of experience at all levels of the game including management stints in Japan, Turkey, Russia, Greece and the Middle East.
    He led Brazil's Flamengo to the Intercontinental Cup in 1981 and was a member of the Brazil side at the 1978, 1982 and 1986 World Cup.
    Three Brazilians were among those named and charged in the U.S. indictment, including the former head of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), Jose Maria Marin.
    Brazilian authorities are also reportedly investigating Marin's predecessor, Ricardo Teixeira.
    The CBF's current president, Marco Polo Del Nero, has said he knew nothing about alleged bribery schemes involving the federation and is cooperating with official investigations.
    Silva said the Brazilian side is aware of the controversy and that his loyalties remain with the CBF while also recognizing the need for improvement.
    "Alienated, no. Not at all. No player is foolish enough to not understand what is going on in the country. But I think that today, when wearing this shirt we have to represent the CBF. I think that in no way, no matter what the situation, can we be against the CBF. So I think we have to think a bit, reflect a bit. I believe, like you said, that we can do better for soccer," Silva said.
    Ahead of the Copa, Brazil will play two friendlies including one against Mexico on June 7 and another against Honduras on June 10.
    The Copa America tournament will be held in Chile from June 11 to July 4.
    Brazil will play the group C matches along with Peru, Colombia and Venezuela.
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